Currently, there are more than 144 cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. Of all the 144, THC, also known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most recognized cannabinoid. The cannabinoid is known for its incredible health benefits but also its psychoactive effects.
Delta-9 has a lesser-known cousin called Delta 8 THC. It’s another form of THC derived from hemp and produces more than half of the psychoactive effects of Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 has a gentler and manageable high than delta-9 hence its growing popularity.
With many online stores and wellness products advertising Delta 8, it’s only natural that consumers are curious to know more about it. Well, there’s no denying that Delta 8 portrays some similarities to Delta 9 THC, but it also has some aspects that differentiate it from the other.
This article sheds more light on Delta 8 THC, its legality, benefits, and uses. Read through to find out everything you need to know about this cannabinoid.
What Is Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol?
The cannabis plant consists of many chemical constituents, and Delta-8 THC is one of them. It exists alongside Delta-9 and portrays many similarities to Delta 9. The cannabinoid works in the human body to bind the CB1 receptors.
Taking Delta-8 leads to a mild high and provides plenty of health benefits to the body with few side effects because it’s less potent than Delta 9. According to researchers, Delta 8 THC is not found in the enzymes of the cannabis plant but forms from Delta 9 when it’s degraded. That’s why it portrays almost the same effects as Delta 9 without the severe high.
Delta 8 THC Legality
Delta 8 THC gained its legal acceptance in December 2018 when the Farm Bill was passed into law. After the legalization, the product remained out of the market for a whole year until 3Chi started selling it in September 2019.
It was the first shop to start selling Delta 8 in gummies, cartridges, concentrates, and tinctures. Check it out to see the products of Delta 8 available in the market.
Despite being available in up to 38 states where it’s legally sold, delta 8’s legality is still complicated. Well, the cannabinoid is only legal when derived from hemp. However, it’s considered illegal when derived by synthetically altering CBD to form Delta 8 THC.
Despite being banned, many people still synthetically alter CBD to produce Delta 8. But why defiance of the law when there’s another legal option? Well, manufacturers believe that this method is more cost-effective in making wholesale products.
Delta 8 THC only exists in fractions of a percentage in the hemp plant, making it expensive to produce large wholesale amounts. They’ve managed to get away with the synthetic method because there are limited ways of identifying how the THC was sourced.
Still, the Farm Bill states that THC is only legal in the US if it’s derived from hemp on legality complications. It also should not contain more than 0.3% of THC. In the US, marijuana is still considered illegal because it has more than a 0.3% THC ratio; hence, Delta 8 must strictly come from hemp.
Delta 8 THC vs Delta 9 THC
To understand better how Delta 8 THC works, it’s crucial to know how it differs from Delta 9. It’s also essential to note that Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC have very few differences.
Both are THC but differ in chemical bonds. Delta 8 portrays a double bond on the eight-carbon chain, and Delta 9 has a double bond in the ninth carbon chain. The main difference between the two is their potency.
THC and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
While figuring out the difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC, it’s also important to understand the Endocannabinoid System. In simple terms, ECS is just a system in the body, just like the immune system.
ECS consists of a unique system of cell receptors available throughout the body. These receptors command the cells to perform certain behaviors when they bind to cannabinoids and activate the receptors. This explains the feeling of relaxation and calmness after taking cannabis.
Researchers found out that ECS responds to biological stimuli to maintain the perfect functioning of the body. This takes place in a process known as homeostasis.
ECS produces a different reaction on every cannabinoid it binds to. The kind of response it stimulates when it binds with given cannabis will depend on the components’ properties. That’s the reason why people portray different reactions after consuming Delta 9 and Delta 8 THC.
Due to the difference in chemical structure, Delta 8 users will behave differently from those who take Delta 9. This is because Delta 8 has less psychotropic effect and will give the user a gradual come-up rather than a blast of intoxication like Delta 9.
Delta 8 THC Potency
Delta 9 THC binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors to produce a strong effect due to the ninth carbon chain’s double bond. Delta 9 is available in very high qualities in the cannabis plant; hence, the strong effect. This explains why users experience the feeling of relaxation characterized by stress relief and mood-boosting.
While the two almost seem the same, Delta 8 is available in lower quality in the cannabis plant. For this reason, it has less potency compared to its counterpart. Delta 8 binds with CB2 receptors present in organs & extremities like the immune system and the digestive tract.
Delta 8 THC Uses and Benefits
With the popularity that Delta 8 continues to attract, many researchers believe it will dwarf the CBD market. There is the possibility of this cannabinoid becoming bigger than others in the market. It’s expected to continue selling high qualities as online pharmacies and stores selling it continues to come up.
Delta 8 is expected to bridge the gap between the hemp industry and the marijuana industry. But before you get too excited, it’s important to understand the uses and benefits of Delta 8 THC.
General Wellness and Relaxation
THC is known to offer some surprising general wellness benefits. Unlike Delta 9, it delivers all these without the psychoactive effects. You will feel unusually relaxed and calm after taking the product.
THC helps reduce stress and sadness. It’s a perfect option for those who think Delta 9 is too strong but still needs the calming effects of THC.
Taking Delta 8 lowers anxiety levels thanks to neurotransmitters and hormones that bind to CB1 receptors. Even at high doses, Delta 8 will not trigger anxiety in patients or cause other THC side effects. The medication will not interfere with your brain’s functionality but will help you get more focused and relaxed.
Antiemetic Effect
Taking Delta 8 helps to reduce nausea and vomiting. It’s given to cancer patients to suppress the feeling of vomiting after undergoing chemotherapy. While Delta-9 works the same way, patients don’t have to experience the psychoactive effects when they take Delta 8.
This is evident in a 1995 study where Delta 8 was administered to children with cancer, and up to 480 patients did not vomit after undergoing chemotherapy. The study also suggested that the patients experienced minor side effects of cancer treatment when they took Delta-8.
It’s an Appetizer
Many people have plenty of food, but they can’t bring themselves to eat even their favorite because of loss of appetite. Many people undergoing various kinds of treatment, such as cancer, may lose the urge to eat. Since you need food to get the energy needed to undergo the treatment, Delta 8 may be the ultimate solution.
Delta 8 stimulates appetite, helping people with difficulties in eating. You should prepare some healthy meals after taking this product, so you sort yourself immediately you start feeling that intense hanger. And the good thing about it is that you need very low doses to experience the appetite surge.
Provides a Smooth High
If you’re not a recreational cannabis user, you won’t want to get high after taking THC. What you get from smoking marijuana is Delta 9, which is different from the feeling you get after smoking Delta 8. Delta 9 is highly potent, and its psychoactive effects can cause paranoia, anxiety, fogginess, confusion, and exhaustion.
That’s not what happens when you take Delta 8 THC. Users of Delta 8 agree that the product gives a less anxious experience because of its lower potency. While researchers believe that Delta 8 only carries half of Delta 9, others believe it’s only 10% as potent as its counterpart.
Taking Delta 8 ensures you remain focused and experience no intense side effects. It’s an ideal option for those who don’t want to get high.
Brain Health
Delta 8 THC has incredible effects on the brain. The product has a neuroprotective potential that works to regulate calcium and potassium channels in the central nervous system. It also inhibits adenyl cyclase, which improves brain health.
Delta 8 has effects on choline and improves acetylcholine levels which aid the treatment of degenerative mental health. Acetylcholine is a brain chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter to send various signals to the body.
Low levels of this chemical can interfere with memory and cause degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Acetylcholine is also said to boost REM sleep which helps with better sleep and a productive day. Delta 8 also improves brain health by increasing neuron generation.
Delta 8 THC Products
Thanks to Delta 8 benefits and its popularity since its legality, many online shops and pharmacies are now selling it. The consumption of Delta 8 is as easy as other cannabinoids and is available in different forms.
The most popular product of Delta 8 is Vape Cartridges which provide an easy to use and discrete way of consuming the cannabinoid. For those who prefer dapping, Delta 8 also comes with easy to dab containers with different flavors. Those who love tinctures and old-fashioned joints are also not left behind as the products are widely available.
How Long Does Delta 8 Last in the Body?
While Delta 8 does not make you too high like the Delta 9 THC, it’s still important to know how long the effects will last. Well, you must understand that the results vary with an individual. It also depends on the kind of product you take.
If you take high-purity vapes, it can last about one to five hours on average. Taking Delta 8 edibles or tinctures lasts for about five to twelve hours on average. If you take large doses of tinctures or edibles, it will have longer effects on the body.
It’s not easy for an individual to judge their baseline before or after taking Delta 8. This is because Delta 8 has a natural onset. You might not understand the effects’ length, and other people even end up thinking they experience no effects.
Individuals also go through gradual phases after taking Delta 8. The effects don’t just come suddenly and disappear. You might consider asking your friends to help you monitor your reaction after taking the THC to understand how long it will last in your body.
There’s No Harm in Trying Delta 8
Delta 8 THC is still undergoing so many studies, and with time, you might learn that it offers more benefits than the ones we’ve outlined above. There is no doubt that the cannabinoid will be a masterpiece for future medical applications from what it offers to the body.
Users who take Delta 8 for medication or recreational purposes experience the effects and benefits in equal measures. Therefore, it’s one of the best cannabinoids in the market that you should try out. If you’ve tried other Cannabinoids and yet to give Delta 8 a try, it’s time to take the experiment.
Do you have more questions about Delta 8 THC or other cannabinoids? We will be glad to give you all the information about the cannabis plant and its products. Don’t hesitate to go through the rest of the blogs on this site.
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